Part 1: When water hits a concrete wall

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With an uptick in the economy over the past few years, it seems as if schools, university buildings, museums and government buildings are popping up overnight.

Chances are, many of these institutional projects are built using concrete masonry unit (CMU) wall construction. CMU is considered a premium wall assembly for its durability and performance. Building codes do not require CMU to have a water resistive barrier (WRB) since CMU is a moisture and rot resistant material.

But is it good practice to exclude a membrane air barrier WRB in concrete masonry wall assemblies? Go here to read an overview of CMU wall units covered with drained exterior cladding. It is the first in a four-part series that will help you discover the reasons to reconsider including a membrane air barrier WRB in this extremely popular wall assembly.